Melva (Ward) Thomas was born on February 17, 1941, to Joseph Eldridge and Laura Mae (Snoddy) Ward in Coalgate, Oklahoma. She married Bobby Zane Thomas on June 21, 1958, who preceded her in death on February 20th, 2019. A lifetime resident of Coalgate, Melva attended Coalgate High School where she was inducted into the Coalgate High Schools Basketball Hall of Fame. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and a 4-H leader. Melva was a full-time mother and rancher who loved her cattle and chickens as well as cooking and sewing. She liked watching Fox News, the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and OSU. Melva's favorite times were spent with all her family. She loved watching her grandchildren show their animals and play sports, and taking her great-grandchildren to feed the animals around the ranch. Melva passed away on February 1 ^st , 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 81years, 11 months, and 15 days. She will be missed most by those who knew her as "Mom".

SURVIVED BY

Children: Sonya Holliday and husband Dave of Bixby, OK

Mark Thomas and wife Robyn of Lehigh, OK

Greg Thomas of Coalgate, OK

Lana Thomas of Coalgate, OK

Alejandra Landa of Queretaro, Mexico

Grandchildren: Hailee Miller and husband Matt of Tulsa, OK

Colt Thomas of Moore, OK

Hillary Myers and husband Dave of Bixby, OK

Chance Garcia of Los Angeles, CA

Heath Holliday and wife Mychelle of Clarkville, TN

Laynie Thomas and fiancé Will DeLaVega of Durant, OK

Landon Jelley and husband Brendon of Scottsdale, AZ

Taitum Thomas of Lehigh, OK

Reece Garcia of Coalgate, OK

Great Grandchildren: Madden, Max and Maverick Myers, Rhett Miller,

Mia, Houston and Henry Holliday and Lyvia DeLaVega

Siblings: Barbara Girod of Glenpool, OK

Maxine Pulliam of Bristow, OK

Jim Ward and wife Carol of Kiowa, OK

Doug Ward of Coalgate, OK

Vernon Ward of Fittstown, OK

Special Daughter: Susan Sallee of Coalgate, OK

Sisters-In-Law: Murl Ward of Coalgate, OK

Betty Basket Ward of Coalgate, OK

Sue Flowers of Atoka, OK

Brother-In-Law: Pete Thomas of Coalgate, OK

Along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and dearly loved friends

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY

Husband: Bobby Zane Thomas

Parents: Joseph Eldridge and Laura Mae (Snoddy) Ward

Brothers: J.C. Ward, Burney Ward, Jack Ward and wife Joyce,

Bill Ward and wife Billie Jean and Don Ward

Sisters: Alta Mae Ward, Betty Wilson and husband Irlan and

Mary Cravens and husband J.O.

Brothers-In-Law: Roy Girod and Kenneth Pulliam

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DATE OF SERVICES: 2:00 PM Sunday, February 5th, 2023

PLACE OF SERVICES: First Baptist Church, Coalgate, Oklahoma

OFFICIATING: Brother David Unsell

ASSISTING: D. Clay Mowdy

INTERMENT: Ward Family Cemetery

CASKETBEARERS: Colt Thomas, Reece Garcia, Chance Garcia, Heath Holliday, Matt Miller, David Myers, Brendon Jelley

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Frank Shores, Frank Cometti, David Shores, Larry Bart Pope, D. Clay Mowdy, Warren Wilson, Ralph Wilson

Viewing Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 1-8PM @ Brown's Funeral Chapel

CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNSFSCOALGATE@SBCGLOBAL.NET.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

BROWN 'S FUNERAL SERVICE - COALGATE, OK